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Diagnosis and therapy of chronic systemic co-infections in Lyme disease and other tick-borne infectious diseases

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2007 by Garth L. Nicolson

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Nutraceutical approaches to controlling yeast infections include Pau d'arco, grapefruit extract, olive leaf, caprylic acid, garlic extract, and oregano oil. Diet is especially important in controlling yeast overgrowth, and the dietary instructions above should be followed, such as the elimination of most simple sugars from the diet. (16-18)

Oxidative Therapy for Chronic Lyme Disease Co-Infections

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Borrelia, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, and other infections are mostly intracellular and should be considered borderline anaerobic infections that grow and survive better in low oxygen environments. Oxidative therapy can be useful in suppressing a variety of anaerobic infections, but this approach should be considered experimental and only palliative. We recommend several weeks to months of Hyperbaric Oxygen (1.5-2.0 ATM, 60 minutes) treatments, because these are well-tolerated by most patients with chronic infections. (16) Alternatively, American Biologics Dioxychlor, IV ozone, or hydrogen peroxide might be useful but should only be undertaken with experienced physicians. Some patients have used peroxide baths with two cups of Epsom salt in a hot bath or Jacuzzi. After five minutes, two to four 16 oz. bottles of three-percent hydrogen peroxide are added. This is repeated two to three times per week; but no vitamins may be taken four hours before the bath. The hydrogen peroxide is added after skin pores open. This appears to have some benefit to patients, especially those with skin/muscle problems.

Hydrogen peroxide can also be directly applied to skin after a workout or hot shower/tub. In this case, the hydrogen peroxide is left on for five minutes and then washed off. For oral irrigation, one part three-percent hydrogen peroxide with two parts water can be used like a mouth wash three times per day. (16) Most chronic illness patients have periodontal problems, and oral infections and bone cavitation infections are common.

Replacement of Gut Flora; Immune Modulators; and Natural Remedies

Patients undergoing treatment with antibiotics and other substances risk destruction of normal gut flora, and this can result in overgrowth of less desirable bacteria. To supplement bacteria in the gastrointestinal system, live Lactobacillus acidophilus in capsules or powder have been strongly recommended. Mixtures of Lactobacillus acidophillus, L. bifidus, B. bifidum, L. bulgaricus, and fructoologosaccharides to promote growth of these probiotics in the gut have also been used. L. acidophillus mixtures (above 2.5-3 billion live organisms) should be taken three times per day. For irritable bowel, the nutraceutical Calm Colon (Samra) has proven to be very effective in clinical trials. A very good probiotic mixture is Theralac (www.theralac.com). In addition, to improve digestion and especially absorption, enzyme mixtures have proved useful. The best known of these is Wobenzym.

A number of natural remedies, such as ginseng root, herbal teas, lemon/olive drink, and olive leaf extract with antioxidants are sometimes useful, especially during or after antibiotic therapy. More important examples are immune modulators, such as bioactive whey protein (ImuPlus, www.imuplus.com; Immunocal, ImmunoPro), transfer factor (4-Life Transfer Factor, Immuni-T), or MGN3. Some additional remedies are: olive leaf extract (many sources), NSC-100, and Laktoferrin. These products have been used to boost immune systems. Although they appear to help many patients, their clinical effectiveness in chronic-illness patients has not been carefully evaluated. They appear to be useful during therapy to boost the immune system or after antibiotic therapy in a maintenance program to prevent relapse and opportunistic secondary infections.

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Diagnosis and therapy of chronic systemic co-infections in Lyme disease and other tick-borne infectious diseases

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2007 by Garth L. Nicolson

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